Firefighter Union Concerns Over Firetruck Fleet Faults
Auckland’s frontline fleet of firetrucks and specialist appliances is facing a crisis, as reported by the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU). The union has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating state of the fleet, citing numerous breakdowns that pose risks to both firefighters and the public.
Shortage of Relief Trucks
The union’s vice president, Martin Campbell, highlighted a recent incident where a firetruck from the Avondale station broke down during an emergency response, forcing the crew to wait for a replacement truck. Unfortunately, the replacement truck itself broke down multiple times within the same week, compromising the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency responses.
Campbell also pointed out a shortage of relief trucks, essential for times when firetrucks are undergoing maintenance or repairs. With only seven relief trucks available, and many of them in poor condition, there have been instances where crews were left without proper resources to respond to emergencies.
Call for Urgent Action
The NZPFU is urging Fire and Emergency (FENZ) to address these issues promptly. While FENZ has a fleet replacement project in progress, Campbell expressed frustration over the slow pace of implementation. He noted that new trial trucks introduced last year are still sitting unused due to minor modifications needed to make them operational.
According to Campbell, the lack of urgency from FENZ to adapt and deploy these new trucks is concerning, especially when there is a critical need for backup vehicles to support the existing fleet. Despite raising these concerns with FENZ, Campbell described the response as inadequate, with a lack of tangible action to resolve the persistent fleet faults.
FENZ Response and Ongoing Programmes
In response to the union’s concerns, FENZ’s regional manager for Auckland and Northland, Ron Devlin, emphasized that FENZ maintains a high standard for its fleet and conducts regular servicing. Devlin mentioned ongoing programmes to purchase new heavy aerial trucks and Type 3 firetrucks, essential for frontline emergency responses.
Devlin assured that all relief firetrucks are kept in fully operational condition, and FENZ manages over 1280 fire trucks and specialist response vehicles to ensure readiness for emergencies.
As the debate continues between the NZPFU and FENZ, the safety and efficiency of Auckland’s firefighting capabilities remain a top priority for both parties. The need for swift action to address the fleet faults is crucial to safeguarding lives and property in the face of emergencies.